Toy

ABSTRACT

A toy is is provided, which is a tangible representation of a fictional character that is part animal and part automotive vehicle, such tangible representation being, for example, in the form of a two- or preferably three-dimensional model (such as a paper, cardboard, plastic or metallic miniature, or a soft sculpture).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to the co-pending design application entitled TOY, application Ser. No. ______, filed on even date herewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to toys for children evoking fictional characters, especially toy cars having animal features, particularly facial features. The invention also relates to a kit embodying such a toy and one or more complimentary items such as a game, puzzle and/or children's book involving the toy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Children, especially younger children (e.g., ages 2 to 10) are fond of toys and story books, in which regard fictional animals, vehicles and the tales of their adventures have long been children's favorites. It remains desired to provide new imaginative characters, toys and stories for the entertainment and education of children.

The automobile industry often employs the names of animals for the identification of various products, for eample, the impala, the panda and the cougar. Some automobile brands are associated with particular animals as their symbol, such as the Ferrari stallion. Even the countries of origin of certain vehicles have associated therewith various animal identities.

Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide fictional characters that combine automotive vehicles and associable animal charicatures. Another aspect of the invention is to provide toys fabricated in the forms of such fictional characters. Still another aspect of the invention is to provide a family of toys, books, puzzles, games and the like premised upon such fictional characters. The vehicle/animal combination is particularly amenable to facilitating fantasy play and storytelling by fathers through positive associations with, for example, sports cars, while not limiting the involvement of mothers.

The present invention provides toy fictional characters in the form of animals that are also vehicles, preferably having a posterior portion resembling an automotive vehicle (especially an iconic or otherwise noteworthy vehicle, such as a sports car) and an anterior portion resembling the face and/or head of an animal (especially an animal associated with the model, brand or country of origin of the vehicle). The fictional characters are provided as two- and three-dimensional models, optionally together with related story books, coloring books, games, puzzles and/or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a toy of the invention is a two- or three-dimensional model having a posterior portion resembling the posterior of an automotive vehicle and an anterior portion resembling a cartoon charicterization of the face or head of an animal. Certain embodiments of the invention also include in the posterior portion a cartoon charicterization of a tail corresponding to the animal represented in the anterior portion. In a preferred embodiment the automotive vehicle resembled by the posterior portion is associated with the animal resembled by the anterior portion. The association between the posterior automotive vehicle and anterior animal portions preferably pertains to the manufacturer, model or country of origin of the automotive vehicle.

Animals useful for the cartoon characterizations of the invention include (without limitation) any or all of: the horse, pig, jaguar, ram, bulldog and bull. The animal characterized in the anterior portion can be provided a facial expression, such as loveable, sad, tired, happy, energetic and surprised. Combinations of animals and automotive vehicles useful in the practice of the invention include (without limitation) horse and Ferrari, pig and Porsche, jaguar and Jaguar, ram and Dodge, bulldog and MAC tractor-trailer, and bull and Lamborghini.

In another embodiment, a kit is provided including a toy as described above together with a story book, coloring book, puzzle or game involving the character represented by the model. These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the drawings (in which duplicative reference numerals have often been avoided where corresponding elements have already been identified, as will be understood by those skilled in the art) and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a right side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 b is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 1 c is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 1 d is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 1 e is a right front perspective view illustrating a facial expression for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 a-1 d.

FIGS. 1 f-1 j are partial right front perspective views illustrating alternative facial expressions for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 a-1 d.

FIG. 2 a is a right side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 b is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 2 c is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 2 d is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 2 e is a right front perspective view illustrating a facial expression for the embodiment of FIGS. 2 a-2 d.

FIGS. 2 f-2 j are partial right front perspective views illustrating alternative facial expressions for the embodiment of FIGS. 2 a-2 d.

FIG. 3 a is a right side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 b is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 3 c is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 3 d is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 3 e is a right front perspective view illustrating a facial expression for the embodiment of FIGS. 3 a-3 d.

FIGS. 3 f-3 j are partial right front perspective views illustrating alternative facial expressions for the embodiment of FIGS. 3 a-3 d.

FIG. 4 a is a right side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 b is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 a.

FIG. 4 c is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 a.

FIG. 4 d is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 a.

FIG. 4 e is a right front perspective view illustrating a facial expression for the embodiment of FIGS. 4 a-4 d.

FIGS. 4 f-4 j are partial right front perspective views illustrating alternative facial expressions for the embodiment of FIGS. 4 a-4 d.

FIG. 5 a is a right side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 b is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 a.

FIG. 5 c is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 a.

FIG. 5 d is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 a.

FIG. 5 e is a right front perspective view illustrating a facial expression for the embodiment of FIGS. 5 a-5 d.

FIGS. 5 f-5 j are partial right front perspective views illustrating alternative facial expressions for the embodiment of FIGS. 5 a-5 d.

FIG. 6 is a right front perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, further illustrating a facial expression.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A toy 10, in accordance with the present invention, is a tangible representation of a fictional character that is part animal and part automotive vehicle, respectively represented in an anterior portion 20 and a posterior portion 70 of the toy 10. The tangible representation can, for example, be in the form of a model that is two- or preferably three-dimensional (such as a paper, cardboard, plastic or metallic miniature, or a soft sculpture) and is preferably manufactured in such a manner as to be safe for use as a child's toy.

The anterior portion 20 resembles a cartoon charicterization of the face or head of an animal, for example having such features as a mouth 22, a tongue 24 and/or lips 25 (see, e.g., FIG. 3 h), a nose 26, nostrils 28, eyes 30, eye lids 32 (see, e.g., FIG. 3 b), eye lashes 34 (see, e.g., FIG. 3 b), eye brows 36 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 b), ears 38, a mane 40 (or hair 42 as shown, e.g., in FIG. 5 a), horns 44 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 b), a chin 46 and/or a beard 48 (see, e.g., FIG. 4 a). In addition to the foregoing, anterior portion 20 can also have certain vehicular features, such as wheels 50 and tires 52 disposed within wheel wells 54 (e.g., defined in part by fenders 56), and/or vents 58.

A central portion 60 overlapping and joining the anterior 20 and posterior 70 portions can have such features as side windows 62 and doors 64 (that can, for example, be shown as a crease 66 that suggests the presense of a door).

The posterior portion 70 resembles the posterior of an automotive vehicle, for example having such vehicular features as wheels 72 and tires 74 disposed within wheel wells 76 (e.g., defined in part by fenders 78), a rear window 80 (and/or sun shade 82 as shown, e.g., in FIG. 2 d), side windows 84 (see, e.g., FIG. 4 a), a bumper 86 and/or tail lights 88. In addition to the foregoing, posterior portion 70 can also have a cartoon charicterization of a tail 90 (preferably corresponding to the animal represented in anterior portion 20).

As illustrated in FIG. 6, in an embodiment of the invention wherein the toy represents a tractor-trailer, the central portion can have such features as exhaust pipes 92 and fuel tanks 94. The majority of posterior portion 70 in this embodiment represents a trailer that can be an automobile carrier 96 (see FIG. 6), a freight container, a flatbed or the like.

The automotive vehicle represented in the posterior portion 70 is preferably readily recognizable, iconic or otherwise noteworthy. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the automotive vehicle represented in the posterior portion 70 is associated with the animal of the anterior portion 20, e.g., corresponding to a relationship between an animal and the vehicle through its names, symbols, reputation and the like. The association between the automotive vehicle and animal portions can pertain to the manufacturer, model or country of origin of the automotive vehicle. In that regard, animals useful for the cartoon characterizations of the invention include (without limitation) the horse (e.g., stallion or mustang), pig, jaguar, ram, bulldog, bull, panda, dragon, deer, coy, carp, bear, cow, tiger, elephant, turtle, stingray, and lion, preferably horse, pig, jaguar, ram, bulldog and bull, or any sub-group thereof. For example, a panda can be combined with a Fiat (such as the Fiat Panda) or with a vehicle originating from China, such as a Geely). Alternatively, a dragon's head could be employed with a Chinese vehicle. Other vehicle/animal associations can include: a deer, coy or carp with a Japanese vehicle, a bear with a Russian vehicle (such as a Lada or a Volga), a cow, tiger or elephant with an Indian vehicle (such as a Tata), a mustang with a Ford Mustang, a turtle with a camping car or RV, a stingray with a Chevy Corvette, a lion with a Peugeot, a “red” bull with a Formula I car, a horse and Ferarri, a pig and Porsche, a jaguar and Jaguar, a ram and Dodge, a bulldog and MAC tractor-trailer, and a bull and Lamborghin. Preferred combinations of animals and automotive vehicles useful in the practice of the invention include any or all of: horse and Ferarri (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 a-1 j), bull and Lamborghini (see, e.g., FIGS. 2 a-2 j), pig and Porsche (see, e.g., FIGS. 3 a-3 j), jaguar and Jaguar (see, e.g., FIGS. 4 a-4 j), ram and Dodge (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 a-5 j), and bulldog and MAC tractor-trailer (see, e.g., FIG. 6).

The animal characterized in the anterior portion can be provided a facial expression, such as loveable (see, e.g., FIG. 1 e), sad (see, e.g., FIG. 10, tired (see, e.g., FIG. 1 g), happy (see, e.g., FIG. 1 h), energetic (see, e.g., FIG. 1 i) and surprised (see, e.g., FIG. 1 j). Other expressions can, for example, include confused, angry, mean, excited, love, hate, hunger, envy, pain, confident, flirting, sleepy, irritated and the like. As illustrated, for example in FIG. 2 g, the front tires can be advantageously employed in further conveying such expressions.

In another embodiment, a kit is provided including a two- or three-dimensional model as described above together with one or more of: a book (e.g., a story book or a coloring book), a puzzle, apparel, a novelty item (e.g., a key chain or decal or pin), an animated or cartoon movie (e.g., on a flash memory or a dvd) or a game involving the character represented by the model, for example relating to the exploits of such character. Preferred kit combinations include a three-dimensional model together with one or more of: a story book, coloring book, a puzzle or a game, especially a story book.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process step or steps, to the objective, spirit and scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto. All patents and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference. 

1. A toy comprising: a posterior portion resembling the posterior of an automotive vehicle and an anterior portion resembling a cartoon charicterization of the face or head of an animal.
 2. The toy of claim 1 wherein the automotive vehicle of said posterior portion is associated with the animal of said anterior portion.
 3. The toy of claim 2 wherein said association pertains to the manufacturer, model or country of origin of the automotive vehicle.
 4. The toy of claim 2 wherein said animal is selected from: horse, pig, jaguar, ram, bulldog and bull.
 5. The toy of claim 1 wherein said anterior and posterior combinations are, respectively, selected from: horse and Ferarri, pig and Porsche, jaguar and Jaguar, ram and Dodge, bulldog and MAC tractor-trailer, and bull and Lamborghini.
 6. The toy of claim 1 wherein said posterior portion further comprises a cartoon charicterization of a tail corresponding to the animal of said anterior portion.
 7. The toy of claim 1 wherein said anterior portion embodies a facial expression selected from the group consisting of: loveable, sad, tired, happy, energetic and surprised.
 8. A kit comprising a toy of claim 1 and a book, a puzzle or a game, said book, puzzle or game involving a character represented by said toy.
 9. The toy of claim 1 comprising a three-dimensional model.
 10. The toy of claim 2 comprising a three-dimensional model.
 11. The toy of claim 3 comprising a three-dimensional model.
 12. The toy of claim 4 comprising a three-dimensional model.
 13. The toy of claim 5 comprising a three-dimensional model.
 14. The toy of claim 6 comprising a three-dimensional model.
 15. The toy of claim 7 comprising a three-dimensional model.
 16. The kit of claim 8 wherein said toy comprises a three-dimensional model. 